28/12/2025

theSun on Sunday DEC 28, 2025

SPORTS 13

MOROCCO missed the chance to guarantee their spot in the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations after Lassine Sinayoko’s second-half penalty earned Mali a 1-1 draw with the hosts yesterday. The match was a tale of two spot-kicks, with Brahim Diaz giving Morocco the lead from a penalty deep in first-half injury time and Sinayoko replying on 64 minutes. The stalemate at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in the capital Rabat ended Morocco’s world record winning run which had been taken to 19 matches with their 2-0 victory over Comoros in the tournament’s opening game. It also means Morocco have not yet confirmed their place in the knockout phase, although they are on top of Group A with four points from two games. Mali come next on two points alongside Zambia, who drew 0 0 with minnows Comoros earlier in Casablanca. Morocco next face Zambia tomorrow and a victory in that match against the 2012 champions will ensure that the hosts go through as group winners. “We’ll look back at the second half and see what the problem was but we didn’t play the way we did in the first half,” Morocco midfielder Azzedine Ounahi told broadcaster beIN Sports . “We didn’t impose our game and had to drop off. The penalty changed the game a bit. “We go into the third game with the same approach, to win the game and finish top of the group.” Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi was again an unused substitute as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury suffered playing for Paris Saint Germain at the start of November. With Hakimi on the sidelines, Real Madrid’s Diaz was the main attraction on the pitch. He played a key part in the penalty which led to the opening goal just before the interval. Mali defender Nathan Gassama brushed the ball with his hand as he tried to stop Diaz dribbling past him inside the box. Morocco’s Soufiane Rahimi had a spot-kick saved against Comoros but this time Diaz sent the goalkeeper the wrong way for his second goal of the tournament. However Walid Regragui’s side could not build on that as Mali won a penalty of their own just after the hour mark after Sinayoko went down under a clumsy challenge by Jawad El Yamiq. Auxerre striker Sinayoko kept his cool to stroke in the reward and restore parity. – AFP Mali force Morocco to wait

Pharaohs check in Salah scores as 10-man Egypt defeat S. Africa to reach last 16 First goalless draw leaves Comoros, Zambia in peril COMOROS played out a goalless draw with Zambia in the Africa Cup of Nations finals, but the small Indian Ocean island nation came close to an upset win in their Group A clash yesterday. from close range after a mazy run down the left flank by Rafik Saifi, who played in a pinpoint cross. But possession was won in a dangerous tackle by Yacine Bourhane on Owen Tembo, and after consulting the sideline VAR screen, the referee annulled the goal. Zambia goal after being set up by captain Youssouf M’Changama’s hanging chip. Zambia, the 2012 winners, put up a laboured showing. Comoros had the ball in the net in the 19th minute, but Myziane Maolida’s attempt was ruled out after a VAR review for a foul in the build-up to the goal. Maolida had tapped in the ball Comoros also had a late chance when Faiz Selemani headed over the top of the The draw at Stade Mohammed V left Comoros, the smallest nation in the tournament’s 24 team field, with a single point from their opening two matches, after they were beaten by hosts Morocco in last Sunday’s opening

match. Zambia have now drawn both their opening fixtures. Both countries will have a tough last group match tomorrow, which, if they lose, will almost certainly see them eliminated. Comoros must beat Mali in Casablanca to stand any chance of progress, while Zambia are up against Morocco and in need of at least a draw. – Reuters

MOHAMED SALAH scored as 10-man Egypt beat South Africa 1-0 in Agadir yesterday to become the first qualifiers for the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The Liverpool star converted a penalty on 45 minutes, and South Africa were denied a spot-kick late in the second half when Yasser Ibrahim appeared to handle the ball inside the box. Salah came to Morocco after not starting in five Liverpool matches – his omission leading to an outburst against manager Arne Slot.

ball for a long time so I think we had a good gameplan, it worked,” said Salah. “We walked away with the three points, it’s the most important thing. The atmosphere is incredible. Hopefully we can carry on like this.” South Africa coach Hugo Broos said: “The penalty awarded to Egypt was ridiculous, really ridiculous. Hossam Hassan (Egypt coach) said to me after game that he was surprised it was a penalty. “Regarding us not being awarded a penalty near the end, the arm of the Egyptian was extended and the ball touched it. It was a penalty.” Midway through the opening half a pattern had developed – Egypt were pushing forward regularly while South Africa defended with calmness and solid tackling. Salah was being closely policed by Aubrey Modiba and as half-time drew near the Liverpool star retreated into the Egyptian half in order to retain possession. Then, as the Egypt captain chased a loose ball with Khuliso Mudau, the South African right-back raised his left arm, striking Salah in the eye. Amid Egyptian protests, the Burundian referee viewed the incident on a VAR monitor and pointed to the penalty spot. A lengthy delay before the kick was taken could not have eased the nerves of Salah, but he comfortably converted the penalty as Ronwen Williams dived in the wrong direction. More drama erupted in added time when Hany stamped on Teboho Mokoena, leading to a second yellow card for the defender. South Africa, with a numerical advantage, attacked more as the second half progressed, but Egypt came close to a second goal with Williams foiling substitute Emam Ashour after a quick free-kick. El Shenawy displayed his agility with 15 minutes remaining, using his right hand to tip to safety a low shot from Foster. It was one of several saves that kept Egypt ahead. – AFP

Egypt were reduced to 10 men in first half added time when right-back Mohamed Hany was shown a second yellow card for a stamp, followed by a red. After two rounds in Group B, record seven-time champions Egypt have six points and are guaranteed a top-two finish and a place in the round of 16. South Africa have three points, and Angola and Zimbabwe one each after they drew 1-1 in Marrakesh earlier. “I’m very happy for the result, for sure. It was a tough game, they dominated most of the time. It’s a team that can keep the

Egypt’s M. Salah (right) stretches for the ball during yesterday’s Afcon Group B match against S. Africa at Adrar Stadium – AFPPIC

Angola, Zimbabwe in 1-1 draw at Cup of Nations ANGOLA and Zimbabwe each earned their first point at the Africa Cup of Nations following a 1-1 draw on Friday night but the result leaves both facing early elimination. minute when To Carneiro’s chipped pass fell perfectly for striker Gelson Dala, who ran onto it and squeezed the ball in at the near post as Zimbabwe’s defence proved too slow in clos ing down.

Carmo cleared off the line twice in the space of a minute on the cusp of the final 10 minutes, first when Zimbabwe substitute Tawanda Chirewa had his shot stopped by Hugo Marques, with the ball spinning back towards goal before being cleared. From the resultant corner, Carmo was there again to deny Gerald Takwara at the back post with a timely interception. – Reuters

He was bandaged up and continued but in the sixth minute of stoppage time at the end of the first he was beaten as Zimbabwe’s veteran striker Knowledge Musona equalised. It came at the end of a quick counterattack with a long ball from defence cleared to Bill Antonio, who hit a cross field pass for Musona to finish beauti fully. Angola centre defender David

They both lost their opening Group B clashes and are now left with difficult assignments in their last matches next week which they will effectively need to win if they are to progress. Angola went ahead in the 24th

There was a lengthy delay soon after as Angola goalkeeper Hugo Marques suffered a cut above his eye after a clash of heads with Zimbabwe’s Divine Lunga.